Following is a Spirit Communication received from a friend, Gary, at the time of his second visit, March 19, 1968. This friend passed on August 21, 1967.
“My work here is with those who have been here some time, rather than with those who have just come over. Just because we step out of the flesh, it does not mean that we enter easily into the life we then become aware of. Most experience a sense of relief, and accept whatever comes. But to some the separation from family and friends becomes a serious problem, and sometimes requires fairly long treatment.
The mind pattern we call loneliness does not vanish with the physical body. There is no substitute for close companionship, either in the Earth life or this one. It is just as possible to be lonely in a crowd here as it is in your world. But there is one thing here that makes it a little more bearable. The positive assurance that those we loved will eventually be with us.
What I am about to say now may seem foolish and impossible, but it is really so. Some people actually miss the aches and infirmities of their Earth life. If what they had was not too painful or dangerous, it gave them something to think about and talk about, and without it to occupy their thoughts and gain sympathy from others they are practically lost. Of course, these are the people who lived without purpose, or any creative insight, and their mind patterns or qualities must be brought up to a certain level before they can enter actively into the life here. Those who come here with strong creative ability adjust easily. Even service to others is creative in a sense, because we are trying to create for them a pattern of living that will not only be useful, but will give them also a feeling of personal satisfaction and comfort.”
To clear up a certain question I asked: “Most writers who claim insight into the Astral world say that everything from flowers to buildings is of almost indescribable beauty. Is this true?”
He replied: “No. Everything that grows has a more vibrant life quality, and colors that resemble a soft glow that is alive in itself, which it really is, but I would hardly call it an intense beauty. What you feel when you see it is the absolute truth of its existence. Here is something that is truly alive, alive with an inner quality that will sustain it forever. It is a combination of life and beauty that is immutable, imperishable, timeless. It will never fade, never die. Others like it may come into existence, but they will never replace it as they do in the Earth life.
Buildings are fundamental in any orderly pattern of existence. But the beauty of those we have here is the beauty of simplicity, the beauty of basic, functional design, rather than that of unnecessary variations of shape, and equally unnecessary adornment. Vibrant colors have a part in this beauty also, but they are more subdued than in things that have a life of their own.
Some building materials are self-illuminating, like a huge sheet of translucent glass that glows with an inner light. This eliminates the need for lighting systems as you know them. These panels are used on the inner walls of rooms, and if the room is one where we sometimes desire darkness, the panels are smaller and have curtains that can be drawn across them. Usually they cover the walls completely, and sometimes are on the ceiling also.
Furniture serves the same purpose for us that it does for you, though the designs and materials are somewhat different. All materials here seem to have a self-renewing quality, they never show signs of age or wear. This is true of everything, floors, carpets, furniture and clothing. We have nothing like the misplaced, cast-off matter than you know as dust.”